Amazing Grace Essay
Using the themes we have examined in this course discuss the situation of the children in Jonathan Kozol's Amazing Grace. Who defines them as 'other'? How? What makes them feel like 'nobodies'? What makes them feel like 'somebodies'? What is the role of religion in this daily struggle for human dignity?
Drugs, violence, prostitution, pollution, infestation, and sickness of all kinds are present in South Bronx, New York. Unfortunately, children are surrounded and involved in all these problems and more. In Jonathan Kozol's novel Amazing Grace, an evil reality full of racial segregation and alienation affect the people living in the ghetto. The personalities of these children are changed forever due to the existence of ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...Furthermore, the children feel like they are nobodies because of their segregation from the rest of society. "It's skin colour and it's being poor. This is something more than disrespect. It's as if they wish you did not exist so they would not have to be bothered." (Kozol, 41) Strong feelings of rejection make these children believe they are segregated nobodies. The segregation and hatred changes the personalities of the children. In order for the children to remain rational while growing up, they look to their faith.
Most children have witnessed so much injustices that they can only turn to religion as a source of comfort and strength to live on. Even racial segregation is present in the churches where people pray for better times. The children pray for the safety of their loved ones and hope that they will live in heaven after death. They believe that God is out there to hear their prayers. "God hears. He sit up high and look low, even here." (Kozol, 203) This statement reveals that even though the rest of society may not hear the desperate cries of the people living in the Bronx, but God does. Therefore the people still have hope and struggle to survive. Adolescents think about heaven because death occurs frequently in the Bronx. Everyday the children pray for their protection and well–being. "God bless Mommy. God bless Nanny. God, don't
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